Spark-observer



E. M. SIMS.

SPARK OBSERVER. APPLICATION man DEC-21. ma.

Patented Sept. 2, 1919;

A TTORNE Y UNITED T T PATENT OFFICE EMMETT M; sIMs, or LOUIS ILLE,KENTUCKY} SPARK-OBSERVER. I

To all who???) it may concern: I

Be it known that HI, EMMETT MARVIN IMspa citizen of the United States,residing in'the city of Louisville, county of J efferson, and State ofKentucky, have invented a new and useful Spark-Observer, of

which the following is a specification.

This invention relates 130 means for observing aspark in the ignitloncircuitof an internal combustion motor.

"In-internal combustion, or explosive motors,"in which power is obtainedby the eX- pl'osion of a gaseous mixture within the cyl inders ofthemotor, the explosive'mixture is usually ignited by means of an electricspark.

A high tension electric current in jumping across a gap in itscircuitwill produce a spark capable ofigniting a combustible gas. Aspark plug is a device adapted to be removably' positioned in an openingin the wall of a cylinder of an internal combus tion motor, by means ofwhich an electric spark may be produced within the cylinder. Theelectric conductor, known as the firing pin,\leading through the plug,to the gap, is

well insulated from the body of the plug and the conductor leading fromthe gap is connected to thebody otthe plug which in turn isgrounded'on'the frame of the motor. One pole of the source of electriccurrent, usually a magneto generator, is grounded on the frame of themotor and the other pole connected with a device styled a timer, ordistributer. A wire leads from a segment on the timer to a connectionwith the firing pin of a corresponding spark plug. The timer rotates insynchronism with the motor and closes the respective circuit at theproper moment to cause a spark in the respective cylinders. Experiencehas shown that many motor troubles may be diagnosed by observing thequality of the spark. As the spark which ignites the charge is withinthe cylinder, it cannot be seen, consequently another spark, either inseries or in parallel with the ignition spark must be caused where itcan be seen. Mechanicians are in the habit of placing a tool, such as ascrew driver upon the end of the firing pin of the plug andbringing theend thereof closeto the motor and observing the spark which occurs.Plugs have been produced with a second gap in the body thereof, openingor window being provided thgi-ough which the spark may be 0 served.Devices have'been produced which are provided with.

a spark gap and which may be attached to the spark plug, beinginterposed between it and the ignition lead coming from the timer.

These devices serve their purpose, but an ob reconnection w1t a motorcovers the motor, to obtain access to the spark; plug or the ,devlcesassociated with.

them.

a device which maybe located in any convenient p0s1t1on,-1n a motorvehicle, on the 3 dash board thereof, where it will be within convenientreach of the chauffeur, and

wherewith the motor may be tested under;

service conditionswhile the vehicle is movvice, such as characterized,which will be economical in construction, easily operated,

Y Patented Sept. 2, 1919 -Application filed DecemberQI, 1918. Serial No.267,780. A l

An object of this invention is to providef A further object is theprovision of a destruction and arrangement of parts illustrated in theaccompanying draw ng, which forms a part of this specification; wherein18 set forth an embodiment of the invention.

but itis tobe understood that such changes a and modifications may beresorted to as come within the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawing wherein similar reference characters designate like partsin the several views, Figure 1, is a perspective view of an embodimentof the invention, and Fig. 2 a rear elevation thereof.

The invention comprises a panel board -10 adapted to be secured bysuitable means such as screws 11- in any desired position. A flange -12-projecting inward from the ends and top of the board serves to space itfrom the wall against which it is placed, thus affording room forconnections which are to be made on the back thereof. The panel isprovided with a sight opening or window 13. Pwo binding posts 14, 15-are positioned respectively on each side of the window. Electrodes -16,17- are secured respectively to the binding" posts 14, 15, and extendtoward each other, their adjacent ends being separated by a spark gap l8which lies opposite the window, through which it may be hserved. Aground wire 19 attached to the binding.

post, 14, is led to a 'conn'ectionfwith the frame A plurality ofconnecting means which comprise nuts -2 0- threaded on screws 21, thescrews being integral with posts 22-- erected on the face'of theboard,are positioned on the rearofthe panel one; to correspond with eachcylinder of the motor,and an 'insulated connecting wire 23- extends fromeach of them to and is Connected with the spark plug of a; correspondingcylinder of the motor.

If now, when the motorisrunning a con-' nectionr'is established betweenthe ground wire 19, and one of thewires 28, the high tensionelectriccurrentwill divide at a spark frameand to the generator.

front panel and provided with a tip 25+ whereby it may be engagedwitheither one 7 of the posts 22 erected on the panel asshown in "dottedlines in Fig, 1, each of the posts 22 being provided with a perforation26 Y for its reception. The posts 22 are held in position by the nuts20. 'It is to be under stood that the'top of the flexible connector isinserted in one of the posts 22 only'when it is desired to ascertainthecharacter of the copie s of .thisfpatent may be obtained for spark .in'the cylinder, and that this can be donelwithout stopping the'car, or ofthe chaufl'eur having toleave his seat. Then not" in use, the tip may beplaced in a hole 27 in the upper edge of the panel.

which 1 are When the spark gaps are properly adjusted, a clear bluewhite spark will'be seen. i-

regular spark indicates a good spark plug. 7

An irregular spark indicates defective insu-c 1 lation, usually in thespark plug. If the -motor is exploding irregularly and the spark isclear, it indicates that the mixture is poor. If there is a knock? inthe motor it will be intensified when the observer is plunged in on thecircuit,ethus the cylinderin which it occurs may be located.

that any thereto can make and usethe same, I

I "claim 1. In combination withlthie powerplantof v, Having thus descrbed 'my inventionso one skilled. in the art; pertaining a motorvehicle,a panel board,ja pair of.

electrodes mounted thereon and hav1ng a spark gap betweentheir adj acentterminals, 7 a plurality-of posts erected on said board,

said pos ts being connected respectively with corresponding spark plugsin the motor, a i flexible connector attached to one of said electrodesandadapted to be connected with any 'one' ofs'aid'posts, the otherelectrodebef f 7 ing grounded.

In combination with a multi-cylinder internal combustion :motor, a panelboard, a

pair of electrodes mounted thereon and have ingfla spark gap betweentheir adjacent ends, a flexible connector provided wlth a'tipcon;

nected to one of said electrodes, the/(otherv electrode beinggrounded-onthe motor, a

plurality-of posts erected on the panel, each of said posts having aperforation. adapted V j 75 to receive 'the tip of the flexibleconnector,

and each of the posts being connected with a corresponding spark plug inthe motor. r v

. EMMETT M. SIMS.

five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patentap VWashington, .D. G."' V s V e

